General Information
Week 6 of band classes is now complete! This week 4th and 5th grade continued to work on learning new notes on their instruments from their books. A Band is in a really great place right now with their music so we were able to relax a bit this week. As our groups continue to progress, keep encouraging them to practice at home. This is the best way for them to improve their skills outside of class time.
Announcement: Books for 4/5 grade band are being purchased by Mrs. J!
Advanced Band
This week we spent a lot of time working on scales and Crazy Train. We have looked at Bb, Eb, F, Ab and C major scales this week. They are an excellent way for students to practice range and notes. When practicing at home, they can feel free to experiment with tempos and articulations to add new challenges. I also introduced a basic marching band idea to them with their scales. I know a handful of them want to try marching band, so I decided to give them a small taste of it. All we did was add steps to our scale warm ups. This helps their brains practice multitasking between body movement and what they are playing. Crazy Train is also coming along very well. The biggest spots for them to look at next week is measures 17-33. American Declaration and the Armed Forces Salute are both in great shape for where we are in the semester, but we will pick up working on them again after our week off next week. For my new students in this group, reviewing exercises towards the middle or end of their red books will be good help to prepare them for the music in advanced band.
4/5 Grade Band
This week we continued to work on learning the first 3 notes on our instruments. Flutes learned D, Eb, and F. Clarinets and trumpets learned E, F, and G. Percussion are learning how to read stick patterns under the notes and are learning how to rotate hands while playing. Exercises 1-5 in their red books are what we worked on this week in class. We also are working on rhythm reading as they will start to encounter more in their music. I use a website called Rhythm Randomizer to help them practice reading and clapping rhythms and we also did a worksheet in class on Thursday so I could check in on their understanding.
Some students still do not have an instrument for class. They are listed below. If you send me an email, I can send you a list of stores to look at or links to websites with affordable priced instruments to buy. Most music stores will have you rent to own. Please let me know any way I can help you with this!
5th grade- Owen (sticks or trumpet?) Nahom (needs sticks), Gabby (needs sticks), Levi (sticks), Bennett (trumpet)
Upcoming Events
11/11- VETERANS DAY ASSEMBLY AT 8:30AM- A BAND ONLY
DECEMBER 5-7TH- BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT- A BAND ONLY
DECEMBER 7TH AT 8AM-PRELUDE FOR CHURCH SERVICE- A BAND ONLY
DECEMBER 7TH AT 10:30 AM-PRELUDE FOR CHURCH SERVICE- 4/5 GRADE BAND ONLY
DECEMBER 17TH AT 4PM- PRELUDE FOR CHURCH- A BAND ONLY
DECEMBER 19TH AT 9AM- SCHOOL SING-A-LONG- BOTH GROUPS
DECEMEBER TBD- CROWN CENTER PERFORMANCE- BOTH GROUPS